SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING
- TERMS ‒ There are several terms and phrases that refer to Jesus' return.
- parousia, which means "presence" or "coming," was used of a royal visit (cf. Matt. 24:3,27,37,39;
1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:1,8; James 5:7; 2 Pet. 1:16; 3:4,12; 1 John 2:28)
- epiphaneia, "face to face appearing" (i.e., 2 Thess. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1,8; Titus 2:13)
- apokalupis, "unveiling" or "revealing" (i.e., 1 Cor. 1:7; 2 Thess.1:7; 1 Pet. 1:5,13; 4:13)
- "the Day of the Lord" and the variations of this phrase (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: The Day of the Lord)
The NT as a whole is written within the worldview of the OT, which asserted
- a current evil, rebellious age (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: The Fall of Mankind)
- a coming New Age of righteousness
- this would be brought about by the Spirit's agency through the work of the Messiah (Anointed One; see
SPECIAL TOPIC: Messiah)
- PROGRESSIVE REVELATION
- The theological assumption of progressive revelation is required because the NT authors modify
Israel's expectation. Instead of a militaristic (like the Judges), nationalistic-focused (Israel) coming of the Messiah,
there are two comings. The first coming was the incarnation of Deity in the conception (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: Virgin) and birth of Jesus of Nazareth. He came as the non-military, non-judicial "suffering
servant" of Isaiah 53; also the humble rider on the colt of a donkey (not a war horse or kingly mule), of Zech. 9:9; the
wounded Shepherd of Zech. 10-11; see
SPECIAL TOPIC: A Suffering Messiah.
- The first coming inaugurated the New Messianic Age, the Kingdom of God on earth (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: The Kingdom of God).
In one sense the Kingdom is here, but of course, in another it is still future. It is this tension between the two comings of the
Messiah which, in a sense, is the over-lapping of the two Jewish ages that was unseen, or at least unclear, from the OT
(see
SPECIAL TOPIC: This Age and the Age to Come). In reality, this dual coming emphasizes
YHWH's commitment to redeem all humanity (cf. Gen. 3:15; 12:3; Exod. 19:5 and the preaching of the prophets,
especially Isaiah and Jonah; see
SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan). The first coming focuses on Jesus as Savior (i.e., John 3:16-17).
- The church is not waiting for the fulfillment of OT prophecy because most prophecies refer to the first coming (cf. How to
Read the Bible For All Its Worth, pp. 165-166). What believers do anticipate is the glorious coming of the resurrected
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the expected historical fulfillment of the New Age of righteousness on earth as it is in heaven
(cf. Matt. 6:10; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Revelation 21-22).
- The OT presentations were not inaccurate, but incomplete (cf. Matt. 5:17-19). He will come again just as
the prophets predicted, in the power and authority of YHWH (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: Why Do OT Covenant Promises Seem So Different from NT Covenant Promises?).
- ITS REALITY
- The Second Coming is not a biblical term (i.e., coined by Tertullian), but the concept forms the worldview and framework of
the entire NT. God will set it all straight (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: Judgment in the NT). Fellowship between God and mankind made in His image (cf. Gen. 1:26-27) will be
restored (cf. Revelation 21-22). Evil will be judged and removed (cf. Rev. 20:11-15; see
SPECIAL TOPIC: Eternal Punishment). God's purposes will not, cannot, fail!
SPECIAL TOPIC: Second Coming (chart)
- Please let me list the many texts outside the Gospels that affirm the physical, visible return of Jesus to earth.
- Peter
- Acts 3:19-21
- 1 Pet. 1:7,13
- 2 Pet. 1:16
- John
- 1 John 2:28
- Rev. 20-22
- Paul
- 1 Cor. 1:7; 15:23
- Phil. 3:20-21
- 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-15; 5:23
- 2 Thess. 1:7,10; 4:1,8
- 1 Tim. 6:14
- 2 Tim. 4:1,8
- Titus 2:13
- author of Hebrews ‒ Heb. 9:28
- James ‒ James 5:7-8
- The details of Jesus's return are uncertain, but the event is certain. Every generation of believers have expected
Him to come in their lifetime. All have been wrong! The best a believer can to is
- be ready
- stay active
SPECIAL TOPIC: Hope
- The Different Usages of "Coming" terminology
I would like to add one more point on this issue. The term "coming" does not always refer to the Second Coming. Often
it is used in the sense of the temporal judgment of God by human means.
- OT ‒ YHWH used a foreign nation's military to accomplish His purpose of judgment.
- Ps. 18:4-15 ‒ YHWH coming imagery of Him acting
- Ps. 96:13; 98:9; Isa. 26:21 ‒ YHWH's coming as act of judgment on sinful nations
- Isa. 10:5-14 ‒ YHWH's coming seen in His using Assyria to judge Israel. The same imagery
used of Babylon judged by YHWH sending Cyrus in Jeremiah 51
- Isa. 19:1 ‒ YHWH judging Egypt by His "coming" with foreign army
- Micah 1:3 ‒ YHWH uses the military of other nations to judge His covenant people
- Zech. 14:1-2 ‒ uses this same "coming" imagery (i.e., "a day is coming") when God will judge Jerusalem
by means of the Roman army and its mercenaries (i.e., Jewish War, A.D. 66-70)
- NT ‒ this imagery of God/Jesus "coming" depicts temporal judgment (particularly in Matthew)
- Matt. 10:23 ‒ A.D. 70 coming of Titus
- Matt. 16:28 ‒ A.D. 70 coming of Titus
- Matt. 24:30,33,34 ‒ A.D. 70 coming of Titus
- used of God's judgment by Jesus of several of the seven churches
- Rev. 2:5 ‒ Ephesus
- Rev. 2:16 ‒ Pergamum
- Rev. 3:3 ‒ Sardis
- Much of the book of Revelation, as well as the Olivet Discourse foretells the divine judgment of Jerusalem
and the temple, using apocalyptic imagery (Partial Preterism).
I am becoming more and more convinced of the Partial Preterist approach to the Olivet Discourse,
2 Thessalonians, and the book of Revelation (cf. Rev. 1:1,3; 2:16; 3:11; 22:7,10,12,20 combined with Matt. 10:23; 16:28; 24:34).
There is no textual reason to assume a 2,000 year gap in John's revelation (i.e., Futurists). I hope you will
look at
- Four Views of the Book of Revelation, several authors, ISBN 0-310-21080-1
- Steve Gregg, Revelation: Four Views, Revised and Updated, ISBN 9781401676216
- The NT does mention that Jesus will return to earth for His faithful followers in Acts 1:11 and 1 Thess. 4:13-18.
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